How can I get my guns back from the police? Last year, the relationship with my longterm partner ended, although not very amicably. Some days later, I received a visit from the firearms department at 9.15 in the evening.
Gun laws
Have a query about UK gun laws? Wondering how to get your shotgun licence or firearms certificate? How to store your gun and how to transport it? What happens if you have been in ill-health?
Here are the answers to these questions and many more concerning gun ownership.
Frequent updates
The laws on gun ownership change frequently, with debates by MPs on the subjects regularly in the news. We keep you updated with what is going on here, with all you need to know as a responsible and safe shooter.
Our experts have written many different articles on gun law, with regular updates when legislation changes. Browse through the topics here to find the answers you are looking for. If you have a question on a particular aspect of gun law then get in touch by e mailing us at shootinguk@timeinc.com and we will do what we can to help.
You might also like to visit our general legal section, which covers a variety of issues.
Can the council forbid me from owning a gun?
My council has brought in a tenancy rule that prohibits anyone owning and storing a gun in any of its properties. Can they enforce this legally?
How do I add guns to a firearms certificate?
Q: I have held a shotgun certificate for 40 years, initially for roughshooting, but in recent years, mainly for skeet and DTL. Two years ago I decided that I would like to add FAC to my shooting disciplines and joined my local shooting club as an airgun member, being added to…
Will legal trouble stop my shotgun certificate application?
I would like to apply for a shotgun certificate, but I have a couple of recent cautions. One is from five years ago for criminal damage to my ex-wife's car and another is for harassment 15 months ago.
What should I do about shotgun storage while I’m away?
I intend to take a long holiday away from home and wonder what obligations I am under in respect of storage of my shotguns while I am away?
How many shotguns can I legally hold on my shotgun certificate?
I currently have two 12-bore shotguns on my shotgun certificate. Can you tell me how many shotguns I can legally hold? Also, how much smokeless powder can I store for reloading?
Do I need to keep my guns at home for a shotgun licence?
Shotgun licence: If I apply for a shotgun certificate do the guns have to be kept at my home address?
Can I store my guns in the attic?
Q: I am applying for a firearms certificate so that I can acquire a .243 calibre rifle for stalking. I understand that I must obtain a gun cabinet, which I am considering installing in my attic. Would this be a suitable location? A: While an attic may appear to be…
Can a local registered firearms dealer ‘confiscate’ an air rifle?
Q: I have just taken my air rifle into my local registered firearms dealer (RFD) for some work. While he had it, he tested it over a chronoscope and said that with a heavy pellet it produced 12.4ft/lb of energy y and because of that he is not allowed to give…
How do we list guns as ‘shared’ on our shotgun licences?
My wife and I share a gun cabinet and I’ve been told my shotguns should appear as 'shared' on my wife’s shotgun licence and hers shown similarly on mine.
What’s the law on inheriting a shotgun?
Some months after my father passed away the police told my mother that because his shotgun certificate had lapsed she should hand his gun to the local gun shop.
Will I have problems obtaining a firearms certificate?
I am soon to retire and would like to apply for a firearms certificate to take up shooting with a .17HMR for both targets and vermin.
Can I leave a shotgun at my holiday home?
Q: I have a shotgun licence, registered in London, and a number of shotguns kept at that registered address. I also have a holiday home, which has a clay ground nearby. Rather than keep transporting a gun to the holiday house I am keen to install a cabinet and leave…
I’ve just received a reminder to renew my shotgun certificate – what should I do next?
I’ve just received my shotgun certificate renewal reminder. Is there a deadline by which time I have to get it back to the police?
Do I need lessons before I get my shotgun licence?
Shotgun licence: I’ve spent some time with a small shoot this season and love it, and I now fancy taking up shooting myself. How do I get started? Can I receive instruction before getting a shotgun licence?
Do my shotguns have to be kept at my home address?
Shotgun licence: If I apply for a shotgun licence do the guns have to be kept at my home address?
Will a formal caution affect my shotgun licence?
Shotgun licence: Two weeks ago I was arrested and given a formal caution for an offence I did not commit.
How certain police forces are putting obstacles in the way of getting a firearms licence
Sometimes you wonder who makes the law. Is it Parliament or is it the police? Your MP thinks it’s him but in some cases if your Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) doesn’t like what Parliament has decided he makes his own law. I thought it was the responsibility of the…
If I give them my shotgun licence can somebody else buy me cartridges?
I went shooting on one of the extremely cold days in early December, and when I was cleaning my gun afterwards I noticed that the bores were much dirtier than normal.
Can I go camping with my shotgun?
Should you keep your shotgun in the tent or your car? Q: I’m in the process of buying some woodland and I intend to do some shooting there. I also plan to spend a lot of time camping in the woods. Is it legal to leave my shotgun in the…